Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐩
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐙𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐅𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘. My Louis Vuitton suitcases stood perfectly aligned next to my carry-on—everything packed, everything folded. Silk dresses, swimsuits, sunglasses worth more than some people's rent. The usual. I've been to the Maldives so many times I could draw the island layout from memory, but somehow, it never gets old. Crystal water, sun-drenched skin, and no one who matters. With everything that had happened...It was better than staying here
I slipped on my sunglasses even though we weren't out the door yet. The help—Sabine, I think that was her name—had already started hauling my luggage downstairs. She looked like she was about to collapse under the weight of it all, but that wasn't my problem. I gave her a quiet nod of acknowledgment. That's as polite as I get before coffee.
Adriana insisted her driver would take both of us to the jet, which honestly made me roll my eyes. The jet was already mine—or, technically, my father's—but whatever. Adriana had this thing about appearances. Always needing to add her own little stamp of wealth to situations that didn't ask for it. It didn't matter. She was my best friend. And if she needed to show off, she'd earned it. Rafe and Lucas were driving themselves. Men and their love for control. Let them.
My phone buzzed. Five minutes away, Adriana texted.
Enough time to grab a bottle of water and, I don't know... maybe fake a little family bonding moment.
I made my way into the kitchen. The marble tiles were cold against my feet as I grabbed a bottle from the sleek, chrome fridge. My parents were both home—an event as rare as a solar eclipse—and lounging in the living room like they didn't own three companies between them.
"I'm leaving soon," I called over my shoulder while unscrewing the bottle cap.
To my surprise, they actually responded.
My mother got up first. "Have fun, my love," she said as she walked toward me, heels echoing. "And call if something isn't working right with the credit card. You should have enough money on there."
She hugged me. A full hug. Arms around me, perfume clinging to my skin. Her warmth felt foreign.
Then my dad—stoic, usually unreadable—followed. He didn't say much. Just nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. He looked at me like he actually saw me, not just the version of me they polished for dinner parties.
It was... weird. Weird, but not bad.
I held onto the hug for an extra beat longer than necessary. Just in case this was some parallel universe where they finally decided to care. Then I stepped back and gave them both a small smile.
"Thanks," I muttered. "I'll text when we land."
And I meant it.
Because no matter how cold or distant they were, no matter how many nights I cried myself to sleep thinking they didn't give a shit—I was still their daughter. Still the girl who wanted their love, even if I never said it out loud.
The sound of a car honking outside snapped me back to reality.
Adriana.
I took one last sip of water, tossed the bottle in the sink, and walked out the door—ready to disappear into sunshine, salt water, and something close to freedom
𝜗𝜚
The jet had been in the air for maybe an hour, but it already felt like time didn't matter up here. Everything was calm. The hum of the engine, the occasional chime of turbulence warnings, the gentle clink of ice in my glass.
I sat curled up against the window, my legs stretched across Rafe's lap. One hand held my phone, the other lazily cradled a half-full champagne flute. Instagram was filled with the usual—snowy ski resorts, fake couple photos, girls in bikinis holding matcha. It all looked the same.
Lucas sat in front of us, headphones in, eyes glued to his phone screen. Probably texting three girls at once, all of them thinking they're special.
Then came Adriana—storming into the cabin. She dropped down next to Lucas and grinned like she had a secret she was dying to share.
"I heard about some parties that are taking place this week," she said, breathless with excitement, "and we need to go to all of them."
I chuckled, sipping my drink. "Whatever you say, boss."
Rafe smirked beside me, fingers still on my skin. "We didn't even land yet and she's already talking about parties. What if we die on this flight?"
Adriana rolled her eyes. "We didn't start this trip to end up like our dear friend Sofia, right? Six feet under."
A laugh escaped Lucas before he could stop himself.
My jaw dropped slightly. "Not a good joke. Especially not a good one when we're the cause of it."
I almost laughed, though.
"Oh, come on," Adriana said, waving a hand. "No one cares about her. Like how many weeks passed? Three? And everybody thinks she ran away."
"As long as they think that," I murmured, "we're good."
But are we? And reader...yes, you. Who do you think it was? From us four. Who killed Sofia? I mean... all of us were involved. But who has the most blood on their hands? I bet you'll figure it out soon.. or not.
Adriana reached into her pocket like nothing had happened, pulling out a small clear bag filled with little pills. "Who wants to try them?" she asked, practically bouncing.
My eyes lifted from my phone to her face.
"What are those? Look like they could send us to the ER " Lucas said, taking the bag and turning it in his hands.
"Something good... really good," Adriana giggled.
Rafe shook his head instantly. "I'm not taking any mystery shit while still being in the air."
Adriana scoffed, dramatic. "Yeah, I knew you weren't the fun type."
Then she reached over and snatched the bag back from Lucas, holding it out to me like an offering. "Come on, Cat. I know you wanna try them."
I stared at the pills for a second, then took one between my fingers.
I didn't ask what they were. I didn't need to. I was okay with whatever it gave me—adrenaline, a high. Even death. Whatever.
I tossed it into my mouth, no hesitation. Swallowed it dry. Chased it with the last of my champagne.
We didn't speak for a while after that. I sank into the leather seat, letting it all hit slowly. The vibrations in my chest, the warmth in my veins, the feeling like everything around me had turned liquid and gold.
